As students prepare to take the SAT [Scholastic Aptitude Test] they sit nervously in their seats, biting their pencils. This year, the SAT has been changed and now students do not know what exactly what to expect.

The New SATs start in March of this year, the changes will not affect the senior class however.

“I wanted to take the new SATs,” Afshin Saffarzadeh, ’05, said. ” I tried to sign up, but it didn’t work.”

The SAT will now be comprised of three sections: verbal, math and writing. Each section is worth 800 points. The maximum score a student can get is 2,400 rather than the 1,600 possible now.

“I don’t like the additional point value,” Bonnie Hansen, ’07, said. “We shouldn’t have to be held responsible for trying to meet a higher standard.”

In the new SATs, analogies have been replaced by an essay section. Some do not like the idea of changing the SATs.

“I don’t like the change in the SATs,” Andrew King, ’06, said. “I don’t like to write essays because it’s hard to think and write your thoughts down in a certain amount of time.”

The essay section seems to provide an additional factor to stress over for many students.

“I am fond of the idea of taking the analogies off the SATs,” Krizia Tovar, ’06, said. “But I really don’t care for essays.”

Some students prefer the format of the old SATs over the new one.

“I like the old SAT’s,” Andrea Munoz, ’06, said. ” I hate writing essays and if we didn’t have them I wouldn’t have to think as hard.”

General discontent over the test changes seems to be the common view held by students planning to take the SAT this spring.

“I am not looking forward to the new SATs,” Ronald Balack, ’06, said. ” I haven’t heard good things about them.”

Teachers, however, are looking forward to the new SATs, enjoying the opportunity to help students to learn more about essays.

“I am glad I am not taking them, but I am looking forward to it,” Michael Fuller, English teacher, said. “These new SATs will give the students a chance to show off their writing ability.”

A SAT workshop will be held on campus for any sophomores, juniors and parents who have questions about the test in the Jackie Johnson room on Feb. 28.

For more information regarding the new SATs check out the College Board website.